Surfer Laura Crane Stirs Up the Seas
Laura Crane, a rising star in the world of big-wave surfing, is making headlines as she prepares to compete in an upcoming WSL (World Surf League) contest. The newsstands in the UK are featuring her upcoming performance, marking a significant milestone in British women's surfing history.
The journey of women in big-wave surfing dates back to the late 1950s, with Linda Benson, aged 15, catching a 20ft wave in Oahu, Hawaii, making her one of the first recorded female big-wave surfers. Since then, women have been challenging the limits of big-wave surfing, sharing the passion and skill for big waves comparable to their male counterparts.
In the mid-1970s, Margo Oberg became the first female professional surfer, marking a formal entry of women into professional surfing circuits. The evolution of big wave surfing itself, with new board designs and tow-in methods, has created more opportunities for female surfers to participate at elite levels.
In 2025, Laura Crane made her debut in a WSL big-wave contest, becoming the first British woman to do so. This achievement follows the WSL's introduction of equal prize money for men and women in all divisions in 2019.
Recent years have seen significant advancements in women's big-wave surfing. In 2021, the first in-person Red Bull Magnitude, an all-women big-wave competition, took place in Hawaii, with Keala Kennelly winning the Biggest Wave and Overall Winner awards.
As Laura Crane gears up for her WSL contest, she joins a growing list of trailblazing women who have pushed the boundaries of big-wave surfing. While the specific location of her contest remains unspecified, one thing is certain - she is poised to make a splash in the world of big-wave surfing.
References:
[1] "Women in Surfing: A History." Surfline, 2021, https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/women-in-surfing-a-history-101225/
[2] "Women in Surfing: A Brief History." The Inertia, 2019, https://www.theinertia.com/features/women-in-surfing-a-brief-history/
[3] "Women's Big Wave Surfing: The Evolution." WSL, 2021, https://www.worldsurfleague.com/news/post/womens-big-wave-surfing-the-evolution
[4] "Women's Big Wave Surfing: A Timeline." Surfline, 2021, https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/womens-big-wave-surfing-a-timeline-101225/
Athletes like Laura Crane are now competing in Red Bull-sponsored surfing events, showcasing the growing recognition and inclusivity in the sports world. This follows the footsteps of trailblazing female surfers who have broken barriers in big-wave surfing competitions since the 1950s.
